KEY STAT
88 pitches. That's how many Erik Bedard needed to throw seven innings while allowing just five hits and no walks.
KEY PLAY
I dunno. The home run by Justin Smoak in the first inning was really the big difference in this game but it didn't feel real key coming in the first inning.
KEY THOUGHTS
Uhm. It's probably not a good sign when this is the game we thought the Tigers had a great shot at winning. The ace on the mound for the good guys and the score is what?! Obviously all ten runs weren't his fault. He only gave up four. Not that four is good, but the flat bats -- and obviously the pitching of Bedard -- were as big a story as Verlander was.
What's amazing -- and disappointing -- is that in Verlander's six starts the team has managed to lose four games.
Did I mention the Tigers managed to commit four errors in a game again this year?
Daniel Schlereth was a one-man highlight reel -- for good reasons. He picked off Chone Figgins to begin, then got Milton Bradley out when the comebacker was deflected toward first. Schlereth managed to get to it and shovel pass to first to get the out. Pretty cool. Here's the highlight.
Al Alburquerque struck out the side in the eighth, so that was pretty cool too.
Let's hope Brad Penny is on his game tomorrow so the Tigers can -- gulp -- avoid being swept at home.
Baseball. ::shrug::